Detection of Residual and Recurrent Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma by Serum Thyroglobulin Measurement

Abstract

Thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement is primarily used to monitor patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) for tumor recurrence. Serum Tg levels principally integrate 3 variables: the mass of thyroid tissue present (benign or neoplastic); the degree of thyrotropin (TSH) receptor stimulation and tumor's intrinsic ability to synthesize and secrete Tg—a factor that needs to be assessed by a preoperative serum Tg determination. Serum Tg measurements should be interpreted relative to the TSH status of the patient. When TSH is low (on levothyroxine [LT₄] therapy) basal serum Tg may be undetectable and recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) administration may be needed to increase serum Tg into the measureable range. The Tg fold response to rhTSH (rhTSH-stimulated Tg/basal Tg) is an index of the tumor's sensitivity to TSH. Normal thyroid remnant and well-differentiated thyroid tumors display a greater (> 10-fold) serum Tg response to TSH stimulation compared with less well-differentiated tumors (4 therapy) by the second postoperative year signifies a low 5-year recurrence risk whereas a rising serum Tg in the face of TSH suppression is an abnormal response consistent with recurrence. The optimal degree of TSH suppression for a patient should be based on clinical judgment, relative to tumor staging and the risks from iatrogenic hyperthyroidism. Despite current technical limitations, serum Tg measurement is the cornerstone of long-term monitoring for most DTC patients. For optimal use of serum Tg, it is necessary to understand the pathophysiology of Tg secretion, the limitations of Tg methods and the use of rhTSH to overcome the insensitivity of current Tg methods.